Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ofili has officially begun the process of switching her international allegiance from Nigeria to Turkey, a decision she attributes to ongoing administrative lapses and negligence on the part of key Nigerian sports authorities, including the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).
The 22-year-old track star, who has consistently performed at elite levels, was recently excluded from the 100-meter event at the forthcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, despite achieving the qualifying standard. The exclusion was reportedly due to the AFN and NOC’s failure to submit her name before the deadline—an error that has shocked the athletics community.
This incident is not an isolated case. It mirrors a similar oversight that occurred ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where Ofili also missed out on participating because of administrative inefficiencies. The repetition of such costly mistakes has pushed the young athlete to make the difficult but necessary decision to change national representation.
According to sources close to Ofili, the decision stems from years of frustration over the lack of proper support structures, unfulfilled promises, and continuous neglect from sports administrators in Nigeria. Those close to her say she is seeking a more professional and stable system that will prioritize her growth and athletic career.
Ofili has since taken the necessary steps to notify the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and relevant global sporting bodies about her intention to represent Turkey. In her official communication, she is said to have detailed the repeated administrative failures that have affected her chances on the global stage, citing the need for an environment where her talent and hard work can be matched with institutional efficiency and respect.
Her decision comes as a massive blow to Nigeria, as Favour Ofili is widely regarded as one of the country’s brightest sprint prospects, with potential to become a global medal contender. She holds multiple national records and has been a consistent figure on the international athletics scene, especially in sprint and relay events.
This move also underscores a troubling pattern among Nigerian athletes, many of whom have in recent years opted to switch nationalities in order to find the structure, support, and professionalism that they are unable to access in Nigeria. As the country continues to lose top-tier talents to other nations, calls are growing louder for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s athletics administration.